Further strengthening ties with the global community, Columbia hosted over a dozen foreign dignitaries during a weeklong world affairs lecture series around the campus. Through a series of addresses, roundtable discussions and special events sponsored by The Earth Institute, SIPA and The President's Office students received an intimate perspective on major world issues from the leaders themselves.

Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana and Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India were among many other statesmen who offered their worldly insights, policies and concerns to the Columbia community.

" Columbia University, with its long-standing ties to the United Nations and other international institutions, is privileged to welcome so many foreign leaders to our campus this fall," said President Lee C. Bollinger. "I am pleased that the University is serving as a center for public debate featuring the world's key global architects and thinkers."